Can “We the People” Talk With Each Other?

A Catholic Version of Braver Angels

Red / Blue Workshop

The first offering of this workshop is occurring on June 2 and 9 (pray for us!), and we'd love to bring this two-part online workshop - that brings together conservative leaning (red) and liberal leaning (blue) citizens for structured discussions - to your community. This workshop, providing guidance within the framework of our Catholic values, takes a small, evenly balanced group of “reds” and “blues” through a series of exercises designed to help participants reduce stereotyped thinking, discover common values, and have respective, structured conversations.

Workshop Goals:

· Better understand experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide.

· Acknowledge, work to understand & respect differences. Seek areas of common ground.

· Gain insights to help heal the polarization in our local community and our nation.

Process:

Workshop opens with prayer and introductions. The workshop’s discussion ground rules are reviewed. Attendees participate in each exercise and discussion: stereotypes / fishbowl / ask each other / what I am taking away. Workshop closes in prayer.

If you're interested in hosting an offering of this workshop, please contact Andrew. 

Breaking Open the Sin of Racism

Engage your community in dialogue

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati in collaboration with the University of Dayton has designed a 4-week workshop that engages the participants in discussion on the sin of racism in our world. We’ve worked to create a video series to be used in tandem with a detailed discussion guide to assist parishes and faith communities as they navigate the topics of racism, power, and privilege.  

Breaking Open the Sin of Racism is an 8-part video series by scholars at the University of Dayton, a Catholic Marianist University, and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, Ohio. The video series and discussion guide are prepared for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for use by faith-organizations. The series begins with a macro global and historical examination of race and racism, and progresses to a micro examination of the interpersonal impact of race and racism.

Questions? Contact Sara Seligmann |  513-546-3143

Life, Dignity & Charity

The Catholic Social Action Office and Commission empower Catholics in the Archdiocese to celebrate and live out the Gospel call for life, human dignity, and care for God's creation through Catholic Social Teaching formation, organized social ministries, and opportunities for public advocacy and action.

Check out our webpage»

Learn, Lead, Serve

The University of Dayton is a top-tier Catholic research university with academic offerings from the undergraduate to the doctoral levels. We are a diverse community committed, in the Marianist tradition, to educating the whole person and linking learning and scholarship with leadership and service.

Check out our webpage»

Laudato Si’ Action Platform

In May last year the Vatican launched the 7-year Laudato Si’ Action Platform (laudatosiactionplatform.org). Archbishop Schnurr has announced that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be joining the platform as an official partner.

As a reminder, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform focuses on seven sectors: families, parishes, schools, hospitals, businesses, organizations, and religious orders. It has seven goals: the response to the cry of the earth, the response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of simple lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and community involvement.

Our Care for Creation Task Force is looking for people to join the ad hoc committees we're forming (one for each of the seven constituencies: families, parishes, schools, hospitals, businesses, organizations, and religious orders) to promulgate these ideas. If you're interested in joining this effort (or know someone who might be), please contact Andrew.



Praying for the Victims of Gun Violence

As you pray, over the coming days and weeks, we invite you to pray by name for the victims of the mass shootings that happened recently in New York and Texas. We pray for the souls of those who died, for peace and healing for the families and communities, and for those of us who remain fighting to insure that situations like this never happen again. 

A Mighty Stream

EquaSion, the parent organization of the Festival of Faiths, has launched a new interfaith educational and action initiative to address racism. It is called 'A Mighty Stream' and the Social Action has signed on as one of the initial partners. You can click here to learn more, and if your parish is interested in joining this wonderful effort, please let Andrew know.



From the Respect Life Office

The Time is Now to Prepare for a Post-Roe State

In just a few months, depending on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs case, it is quite possible we will find ourselves in a state where abortion is much more restricted than it has been for nearly 50 years. While, on the one hand, that is a day for which many of us have been praying for virtually all of our lives, it is also a day we may not be as prepared for as we realize. While legal abortion may thankfully at least become much more difficult to obtain, the plight of women in difficult or crisis pregnancies will only continue. It is a critical time to show the world that we are pro-life not only in word, but also in action. We must commit ourselves to a society that cares for women, children, and families, such that no one ever feels like the life of one’s own child could become a necessary choice.

Here are some ideas on how we can help prepare for a post-Roe state:

• Continue to pray and fast for a positive outcome in the Dobbs case. To that end, continue to make your parish aware of the resources available at www.prayfordobbs.com.
• Keep abreast of current legislation in our state, such as the Human Life Protection Act. In addition, contact your local senator and representative to encourage them to vote for life, as well as other services that support families and those in need
• Learn about where the existing service agencies nearest your parish are, including pregnancy care centers, maternity homes, and social service agencies, so that you can quickly and easily refer someone in need. It isn’t always simply about helping a mom choose life, but helping them to continue to care for the children they already have
• Learn more about Project Rachel, our post-abortive healing ministry, and encourage widespread awareness through bulletin, pulpit, and social media announcements

For more on what the U.S. Bishops have to say about the matter, see their recently issued statement, Standing with Moms in Need, that helps give us more direction. May we all renew our commitment to creating a world where abortion is not just illegal, but unthinkable for all.  



From the Office for Persons with Disabilities

Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know that one in five adults suffer from mental illness? That number may seem high, but like many other disabilities, mental illness is referred to as an “invisible disorder.” Often people suffer silently due to the stigma that is affiliated with a mental health diagnosis. Mental illness is not often addressed by the Catholic Church, but we are called by Jesus to recognize those who are suffering in our midst and to accompany them on their journey. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this provides us with a wonderful opportunity to shed some light on Mental Illness and to work towards eliminating stigma that prevents people from feeling fully welcomed into their faith communities. To promote awareness in your parish, please consider using these resources:

Mental Health Awareness Bulletin Insert

Prayers of the Faithful for Mental Health Awareness | NCPD - National Catholic Partnership on Disability

Pastoral Response to Persons with Mental Illness |NCPD- National Catholic Partnership on Disability 

Follow the Office for Persons with Disabilities on Social Media and share some of our upcoming posts to raise awareness here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The first step towards eliminating stigma is to provide opportunities for awareness and understanding. Let us work together to help our Church become a place of accompaniment for those who suffer silently from Mental Illness.

Follow us on social media!

Twitter: @AoCincinnatiCsa

Instagram: @aocincinnati_csa

YouTube: @CatholicSocialActionAOC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csacinci



COVID-19 Vaccine Information

There have been questions about the current Covid-19 vaccines and any moral issues that Catholics might have with taking them. The Ohio Bishops and the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith have both issued statements that address and support the moral use of these vaccines to save lives by fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Addresses the Use of Anti-COVID-19 Vaccines

USCCB Document 1 | USSCB Document 2

Ohio Bishops Issue Letter on Vaccines

Vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer to combat COVID-19 may be taken without moral reservations, and some pro-life Catholic scholars have stated that all vaccines are morally acceptable.



Andrew Musgrave - Cincinnati, Director

Sara Seligmann - Dayton

Sr. Christine Pratt - Eastern Area

Regional Coordinator - (open)

Tammie Mers - Administrative Assistant

Catholic Social Action Office

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

csa@catholicaoc.org